An alternative manual installation, use this if you are experiencing trouble with automatic installer.

Version 1.4.4

Use this archive if you are having trouble with .exe installer. You'll need a program like WinRAR or 7-Zip in order to extract .7z files.

Make sure to patch the game before installing mod, otherwise you will see a black screen on startup. To check if your game is patched, see lower left corner of the main menu screen, it should say ver. 1.0005 (or 1.0006). If nothing is there, that means it's version 1.000.

Vista/Windows 7 users:
Due to issues with UAC and rights management, it is possible to have an incomplete installation of a mod, or older "ghost" leftovers of a mod after updating it, or even after removing it completely. Mod installations and removals can fail silently. Try to take the ownership of the STALKER installation directory if you install to default Program Files.

Install:1. In the main STALKER directory (by default it's "C:\Program Files\THQ\S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl", and for Steam users "Steam\SteamApps\Common\Stalker shadow of Chernobyl"), locate file "fsgame.ltx", open with Notepad and change both variables in this line to "true":$game_data$ = true | true | $fs_root$ | gamedata\

2. Copy "gamedata" folder from the SC2009 archive to main STALKER directory (the whole folder, not just its content).3. In the "user.ltx" file make changes to these lines:

Version 1.4.1:
- enabled anomaly evasion for NPCs
- reduced torch light by 50% due to overexposure when pointed at walls
- added ability to sell armor and weapons to NPCs so they can use it
- NPCs can sell ammo
- touched up sky and weapon textures.
- increased scope waving
- increased difficulty on Master

To play in Russian or other languages delete "localization.ltx" from gamedata\config. You won't see description for sleeping bag, repair kit, repair dialog but you will be able to play. Proper international adaptation patch is coming next.

Ok, it works, but not all correctly...
NPCs speak on Ukrainian, Russian & English languages randomly mixed.
And I thing something wrong with AI. Very easy on Stalker(Normal) difficult's level. Sometimes I see enemies in square combat array. One grenade - 12 deaths per sec.
P.S. This mod is greatest. Thank you.

This mod is undoubtedly one of the finest creations that mod communities in general have produced over the years(probably surpased only by Operation Flashpoint's). Most surprising is the fact that they're two complete mod projects ongoing for S.T.A.L.K.E.R., both beeing equally impressive(talking about L.U.R.K. of course).

As an avid SOC fan and, unfortunately, (almost)hardcore gamer("unfortunately" because, let's face it, it's a time consuming and unproductive activity) I would like to address an issue that practically SOC screams for - stealth.
I just finished clearing the Agroprom Institute in the night on veteran difficulty trying to use stealth - it's practically impossible whitout 25 deaths/reloads. The problem of course is that this difficulty is not conditioned by an interesting and challenging gameplay mechanic but by illogical AI(human). First and foremost the lighting system is almost irrelevant in dark areas/night stealth gameplay(hidding in shadows cast by large objects rarely works, usable only when it's pitch black outside and the moon is'nt lit).

The second annoying issue is of course the sound, alerting the enemy from 50+ meters when you change your gun is just stupid, likewise it is impossible to truly sneak up on someone from behind(if it's pitch black they won't see you but still be alerted dough so it still counts as a glitch), I think the overall sound sensitivity should be reduced(distance relative and sound level relative, for example if you're at a 2- meters distance unless you exceed two sound bars the enemy should'nt be triggered). Another impediment to stealth stardom are the so called silent weapons, they alert AI no matter the distance and line of sight - if the player shoots a light bulb(superb addition by the way) and in another adjacent room there is an enemy who could'nt realistically hear the shooting or notice the dimming light he still comes in guns blazing. Last observation - the AI usually seems to magically know where to look...

A version(1.4) observation would be that the modifier UI disappeared, it was quite useful...

that is a programming glitch. same as collision detection is in the graphics, the sound of occlusion travels through the walls no matter if there are any walls or not.unfortunately that has not been implemented in the game, because of the shortcomings of the game engine. lot of the features are not in the game because of this. the cryo engine supports it, the ray doesn't. hope fully the new engine will have a full support of this.
check out the specs for the new engine support list. the xray engine has been completely redone.
so just try to live with the glitches. ;)

for example. you can edit the 2D properties of the sound like
distance, volume, sensitivity and so on. there is no real support for 3D audio features like occlusion. HRTF is supported but the other features are very buggy.remember, these guys have no previous (serious) experience and testing out everything to the details.
prolly they can do it now, since they are getting paid real money.so they will have time and the manpower to properly implement things in the new engine.it's one thing is to say,.."yes, its supported" and another is to have it properly implemented.
hopefully this will help to clear up some for ppl with high expectations and mixed disappointments.

I am having problems installing Stalker-complete. It used to work fine the first time i installed it, i then tried out the lurk mod, didn't like it, uninstalled the game completely, inluding STALKER-SHOC folder. Now when i try to install Stalker-complete using Smart Mod Manager it tells me that the mod is already installed even though it clearly is not.
Is there any way to install 1.4 manually ? I think the problem is with SMM. Please help :)
Pic of the problem:Img25.imageshack.us

Ive run into problems with Duty but I have finished a quest for the General. Why dont the Barkeep offer to fix these "miss-understandings" like he does in other mods ? It sure would be helpful ! Does anyone know of a mod that I could try ? Thanks,
jwill58